Batching plant (concrete)
A batching plant produces ready-mix concrete by weighing and mixing aggregates, cement, water and admixtures, then loads agitator trucks. AS 1379 governs supply.
Ask Chalkline about this →A batching plant is the facility where ready-mix concrete is produced: aggregates, sand, cement, water, and admixtures are measured (batched) by weight, combined to the specified mix, and loaded into agitator (mixer) trucks for delivery to site. Supply of the concrete is governed by AS 1379.
Wet-batch vs dry-batch:
- Wet-batch plant: the concrete is mixed at the plant, then carried to site in an agitator truck that keeps it turning.
- Dry-batch plant: the dry materials and water are loaded into the truck and mixed in transit by the truck’s drum.
The batch docket: every load comes with a delivery docket recording the mix (strength grade, slump, aggregate size), the batch time, and the volume. Keep the docket: it is the supply record, and the batch time matters because concrete has to be placed within a limited time from batching (the limit and any added water are controlled under AS 1379, so check the docket and do not let the truck over-water the mix to make it easier to pump).
For a builder ordering concrete: specify the strength grade, slump, maximum aggregate size, and volume, and book the delivery to suit the pour rate (and the boom pump if using one). Order a sensible buffer on volume: running short mid-pour means a cold joint while a second truck is dispatched.
Why it matters: the plant’s distance from site sets the travel time, which eats into the placement window. On a hot day or a long haul, talk to the plant about retarders and scheduling so the concrete arrives workable and within time.
Also known as: concrete batch plant, ready-mix plant.
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Last updated: 2026-05-24. Verified: 2026-05-24. Quarterly review for currency.